Links to Others:
Author's Assistant
Blog Book Tours
Ebenezer Scribe
Exile on Ninth St.
Diane Fanning
Graveyard Shift
Guide to Literary Agents
Lifescapes
Lila Guzman
Martha Miller
Mark Mitchell
Joe O'Connell
Plotters & Manipulators
Poisoned Pen Letters
Exton Quinn
Redneck Crime
Rick Riordan
Rose Fox Reads
Sylvia Dickey Smith
Spookycyn
Women in Crime Ink
Writer Unboxed
A Writer's Word
Writing Thoughts
Writing the Westward Sagas
Awards for Helen's Website or Blog:
Copyright: 1997-2008
CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS, AND OTHERS
| Disclaimer: Although I try to find contests, conferences, workshops, and other events that are legit and beneficial to writers, I can't guarantee anything. I always try to include a URL or other contact information so you can check them out and make your own decisions. |  |
MAYHEM IN THE MIDLANDS
Omaha, Nebraska
May 22 - 25, 2008
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Guest of Honor: Alex Kaya
Toastmaster of Honor: Jeff Abbott
Registration: $80 (does not include continental breakfast)
Book Dealers: $80/table (includes 2 registrations)
Continental Breakfast : $10 (you must be registered for the convention in order to attend the breakfast and interview)
Authors must sign up by March 15th to be considered for a panel
Registration limited to 200 so sign up early
Get-Acquainted Cocktail party: Thursday, 7 p.m. (free with registration)
Panel Discussions – Conversations with the Authors- Book Signings : Friday & Saturday
Sisters–in–Crime (SINC) Light Buffet: Friday $20
Auction Following Mystery Dinner Buffet : Saturday $45
Continental Breakfast & Interview with Guest of Honor: Sunday morning $10
http://www.omahapubliclibrary.org/mayhem/index.html
WRITERS RETREAT WORKSHOP
Erlanger, Kentucky
May 23 - June 1, 2008
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Our premiere annual 10-day workshop and retreat featuring the fabulous WRW Core staff, visiting authors, agents, and industry professionals. An intense week of story structure workshops, 1-1 meetings, lectures, writing exercises, and lifelong memories... all revolving around you, your novel, and your writing life.
Staff includes 2007 Agatha Award Winning and bestselling mystery author Nancy Pickard, and WRW Grad/NYT Bestselling (as of Feb 2008!) romance author, Janet Chapman. Literary Agent Matt Bialer (Sanford J. Greenburger Agency) and WRW co-founder and author Gail Provost Stockwell, and as always our amazing core WRW staff, editor-in-residence Lorin Oberweger, Roman White, and director Jason Sitzes.
Full Tuition ($1725) for first time Writers Retreat Workshop participants.
Returning Student -- $1625
Manuscript evaluation is extra
http://www.writersretreatworkshop.com/
BEAR RIVER WRITERS' CONFERENCE
Camp Michigania, Michigan
May 29 - June 2, 2008
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Faculty and Guests include: Amy Hempel, Richard McCann, Jim Daniels, Ann-Marie Oomen, Nicholas Delbanco, Keith Taylor, Jerry Dennis, Richard Tillinghast, Laura Kasischke, Barry Wallenstein, and Elizabeth Kostova.
Our acclaimed faculty will hold daily workshops and panel discussions in the 10,000 square foot education center with its several stone fireplaces and bay windows overlooking the lake.
Plan A: Includes tuition, lodging, and all meals.
Lodging Options and Costs for Plan A:
Private room with queen bed and private bath: $775 per person
Private room with queen bed and shared bath: $750 per person
Bunk room: $675 per person (Single bunk bed in a 4-bunk bedroom shared with 1-3 others/shared bath with 1-3 others)
Plan B: Includes tuition and all meals, but not lodging for those who live in the Petoskey area or those who prefer to lodge in the surrounding communities. There are many hotels and motels available within twenty minutes of the
conference for those who prefer greater privacy. $575 per person
Workshops will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/bearriver/
MURDER IN THE GROVE
Boise, Idaho
June 6 - 7, 2008
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Brought to you by The Popular Fiction Association of Idaho
Guest of Honor and recipient of Idaho's Bloody Pen Award: J.A. Jance
The conference is for both mystery fans and writers of mystery, thriller, and romantic suspense fiction.
Writing the Thriller will be taught by one of the leading thriller writers in the country, NY Times bestselling author
David Morrell.
The cost of $95 includes all Saturday conference workshops and panels, luncheon, and evening reception. Beginning May 1, 2008, the cost goes up to $115--register early and save.
New In 2008: we are offering a "Writer's Package" for $195 which includes: ALL regular Murder in the Grove conference events, an all-day Friday writer's master class, plus a one-on-one agent appointment. The cost of the Conference with Writer's Package will go up to $215 on May 1, 2008.
http://www.murderinthegrove.com/
DISCOVERING NEW MYSTERIES, INTERNATIONAL MYSTERY WRITERS' FESTIVAL
Owensboro, Kentucky
June 12-22, 2008
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Celebrities: Zev Buffman, veteran Broadway Producer, actress Angela Lansbury, author Sue Grafton, author James W. Hall, John Jakes, first author to have three books on The New York Times' best seller list in a single year, Stuart M. Kaminsky, current Grand Master of the MWA, and more.
Check website to see the full lineup of plays and performances (like Tanis Galik's "The Luckiest Woman in the World" and Dan Smith's "Slip" screenplay), or Master Classes (like LB Cobb and Janet Biery - "Mystery Locales and Characters: Small Town vs Big City" and Steve Rigolosi - "Characterization and Conflict").
Secure the best seats and select the performances that best fit your schedule before tickets go on sale to the public. Although we are extending the festival from 6 to 11 days, including two full weekends, and we are adding performances, the limited seating capacities will have shows selling out quickly.
If you would like to insure you are among the first to be contacted once the performance schedule is announced, SIMPLY place a minimal deposit of $50.00. This deposit is refundable, should you later be unable to attend the festival.
SUMMER WRITERS WEEK
Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY
June 23 - 27, 2008
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Manhattanville’s Writers’ Week program offers the opportunity to spend an intensive week of writing and working closely with some of the country’s finest writers and teachers of writing. Participants at all stages of development, novice to experienced, sign up for one of six
workshops that meet all morning. Participants also have private conferences with their workshop leaders.The program also features a keynote address, a session with editors and agents, readings by the distinguished authors, and craft workshops on various aspects of writing and editing.
Students registering for morning workshops are required to submit–with their registration form–not more than 10 pages of sample writing (completed or work in progress). This work serves to introduce yourself and your writing to the workshop leader.
Cost: $725 for the week
http://www.mville.edu/AcademicsandResearch/DowdOGormanWritingCenter/SummerWritersWeek/Default.aspx
MENDOCINO COAST WRITERS CONFERENCE
California
July 31 - August 3, 2008
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Whatever your genre, we encourage you to reach deeper and write about what matters.
Faculty chosen for their teaching skills as well as their reputation as writers
Inspiration for new material, and strategies to improve your work in progress
Expert advice on how to craft your work for publication to wider communities
A friendly atmosphere among literary colleagues
Instructors include: Charlotte Gullick, James D. Houston, Michael Datcher, Jenoyne Adams, Jeanette Boyer, Suzanne Byerley, Camile T. Dungy, Molly Dwyer, Maureen Eppstein, Kate Gale, Jody Gehrman, Pilar Gonzales, Daphne Gottlieb, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Elise Proulx, Linda Swanson-Davies, Andrew Todhunter, Marianne Villanueva, Susan Wooldridge, Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman.
Fees:
When received by June 15, 2008...$450
When received after June 15, 2008...$495
12TH ANNUAL HOLLYWOOD PITCH FESTIVAL
Los Angeles, California
August 2 & 3, 2008
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200 Producers, Directors, Agents, Managers and Studio and Production Executives under one roof to meet with you for two days of non-stop pitch meetings.
This is your chance to present your story ideas directly to those in The Business who can actually do something for your career! Two intense days establishing vital industry contacts, the 12th Annual Hollywood Pitch Festival is a unique opportunity to:
Meet one-on-one with the entertainment industry...
Pitch your projects to these professionals and even...
Sell your material...
Land new representation with major literary agencies...
Hone your pitching skills with an in-depth course...
Network with these pros at a catered cocktail party!
We keep attendance limited to 175 people in order to ensure that each attendee receives a lot of meetings. It's more important to us that attendees have a great time at the festival and want to come back time and time again than it is to sell as many tickets as possible.
Prices range from $325 to $715, depending on the package
http://www.fadeinonline.com/events/hollywood_pitchfest
THE WRITERS WORKSHOPS
Squaw Valley, California
August 2 - 9, 2008
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These workshops assist serious writers by exploring the art and craft as well as the business of writing. The week
offers daily morning workshops, craft lectures, panel discussions on editing and publishing, staff readings, as
well as brief individual conferences. The morning workshops are led by staff writer-teachers, editors, or agents. There are separate morning workshops for Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction/Memoir. In addition to their workshop
manuscript, participants may have a second manuscript read by a staff member who meets with them in an individual conference.
Tuition is $750*, which includes six evening meals; a limited amount of financial aid is available. Admissions
are based on submitted manuscripts.
Writers Workshop Staff include: Greg Bills, Max Byrd, Mark Childress, John Daniel, Gill Dennis, Cai Emmons, Janet Fitch, Lynn Freed, Molly Giles, Sands Hall, Louis B Jones, Michell Latiolais, Jake Morrissey, Janis Cooke Newman, Cecile Pineda, Jason Roberts, Martin J. Smith, Rob Spillman, Andrew Tonkovich, and Al Young.
http://www.squawvalleywriters.org/writers_ws.htm
BACKSPACE WRITERS CONFERENCE
New York City
August 7 & 8, 2008
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The 2008 Backspace Writers Conference brings together literary agents, acquisitions editors, best-selling authors,
and publishing professionals for a two-day, two-track program of workshops, panels, and networking in the heart of the publishing world.
Keynote Speakers: Mark Tavani, Senior Editor, Random House; Lee Child, NYTimes bestselling author
Literary Agents: Richard Curtis, Simon Lipskar, Jeff Kleinman, Emmanuelle Alspaugh, Paige Wheeler, Laney Katz Becker, Jenny Bent, Maya Rock, Michael Bourret, Scott Hoffman, Ronnie Gramazio, Elisabeth Weed, Stephany Evans
Authors: M.J. Rose, Harry Hunsicker, Jason Pinter, Jackie Kessler, Heather Brewer, Gail Konop Baker, Laurel Corona, Lisa McMann, Jenny Gardiner, Danielle Younge-Ullman, Claudia Gray, Marlys Pearson, Jessica Keener, Elizabeth Letts, A.S. King, Robin Slick, Susan Henderson, Pam Jenoff, Trish Ryan, Leora Skolkin-Smith, Caroline Leavitt, Reed Farrel Coleman, Chris Grabenstein
Editors and Other Publishing Professionals: Hilary Rubin Teeman (editor, St. Martin's), Charis Conn (contributing
editor, Harper's Magazine), Kristen Weber (senior editor, New American Library), Bella Stander, Jerry Gross
Attendance is limited to 200.
The registration fee for the 2008 Backspace Writers Conference is $355 for Backspace members, $395 for non-
members.
http://backspacewritersconference.com/
YOSEMITE WRITERS CONFERENCE
California
August 22-24, 2008
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Spend a weekend focused on writing at the Tenaya Lodge. The Yosemite Writers Conference will feature top book and magazine editors from Tor Books, HarperCollins, Bon Appetit, VIA, Red Hen Press and DreamTime Publishing, as well as literary agents, a writing competition--and fun.
Topics include: Young adult, women's fiction, thrillers, memoir, food, literary, travel, poetry, nonfiction books and a special two-hour workshop, Navigating Your Writing Career by New York literary agent June Clark.
The beautiful Tenaya Lodge, with every possible amenity, is the official conference hotel.
Cost: $390 Early Bird until April 15
For an extra fee, you can sign up to confer with an agent or editor at the conference.
http://www.yosemitewriters.com/
CRUISING TO CREATIVITY WRITER'S WORKSHOP
Sailing from Galveston, TX
September 28 - October 5, 2008
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Guest Speakers: Dr. David Ciambrone and Sylvia Dickey Smith
The first annual Brulee Travel Writer's Workshop is for the new, novice and more experienced writers of the Romance and Mystery genres.
The sessions are taught in modules of a combination of lecture, exercises and hands on writing. Each participant will be given a writing notebook to use for writing exercises and will contain course handouts.
Dr. Ciambrone is a retired scientist, Oceanographer, professor and author of mysteries, as well as a handbook for mystery writers called The Poison Handbook for Writers.
Ms. Smith is the author of the romantic mystery series, the Sidra Smart series, including Dance on His Grave, Deadly Sins, Deadly Secrets, and a third book in progress, Delva & Avlid.
The Carnival cruise will sail from Galveston, Texas, to Montego Bay, to the Grand Cayman, to Cozumel, and back to Galveston.
Price depends on cabin booked.
$250 deposit due by April 30, 2008
Final payment due July 5, 2008
Bonus: For first 20 registered -- critique of 10 page writing sample
For more information, email Bruce Peterson at BruleeTravel@aol.com
THE GREAT MANHATTAN MYSTERY CONCLAVE 5
Manhattan, Kansas
October 31 - November 2, 2008
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Guest of Honor: JoAnna Carl, author of the Chocoholic Mysteries
Toastmaster: Joel Goldman
Registration: $220. Includes all events: Friday Halloween Party Reception, Saturday continental breakfast and all day snacks, Buffet Luncheon and Saturday evening Chocoholic Banquet, all tracks of panel sessions, newsletters and program booklet.
The GMMC will take place at Manhattan's new Holiday Inn at the Campus.
Spend your Halloween holiday weekend with other mystery lovers at this warm, friendly, fun mystery convention.
Check back with the website for more information.
http://www.manhattanmysteries.com/
BOUCHERCON 2009
Indianapolis, Indiana
October 15 - 18, 2009
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Bouchercon 2009 is still a long way away, but it's never too late to plan.
Early-bird registration fee of $125 is available for the first 200 registrants. Regular registration fee is $150.
Guest of Honor: Michael Connelly
Toastmaster: S.J. Rozan
Fan Guest of Honor: Kathryn Kennison
Since Bouchercon 2009 coincides with the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Baker Street Irregulars, a Sherlockian field trip is being planned to the Lilly Library located at the Indiana University in Bloomington.
If you're an author and would like to be included in the program, keep checking back to the site for more information.
Also, check the Attendees page. There's already a long list of people signed up.
http://www.bouchercon2009.com/
WORDHARVEST TONY HILLERMAN WRITERS CONFERENCE
Albuquerque, New Mexico
November 5 - 9, 2008
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Improve your writing in a small conference atmosphere
Learn from successful published authors
Literary agent appointments
Pre-conference workshops on how to be your own best editor and on PR and marketing especially for authors
Tony Hillerman Mystery Short Story Contest - $1500 prize + publication in Cowboys & Indians magazine
The Hillerman prize for best first mystery novel - $10,000 advance + publication by St. Martin’s Press
With Michael McGarrity, Craig Johnson, Pari Noskin Taichert, Sandi Ault, Judith Van Gieson, Paula Paul, Steve Havill, Joe Badal, Peter Joseph, editor, St. Martin's Press, Christine Barber, winner 2007 Hillerman Prize for mystery novel, Literary agents Betsy Amster, Tony Outhwaite and Liz Trupin Pulli and many more
Full Conference Fees
$395.00 – Available Until September 14, 2008
$425.00 – September 15 – November 2, 2008